CHAPTER 34 ALEX
I feel my phone vibrate, but I can’t answer it. I fidget in the chair, my supervisor scowling at me from across the desk while some lady from HR named Sharon takes notes in the corner.
“Alex, what do you have to say for yourself? These are some pretty serious allegations.”
“I don’t know what I can say.”
“Are they true?”
“Of course not. You know me. You know I’d never attack anyone. But who’s going to believe me over him? He’s one of the most well-known doctors here. I just mop the floor.”
“That’s why we’re having this conversation. I need to hear your side of it.”
I know what I can say. That this slimeball doctor has been harassing another doctor here. My girlfriend. But I don’t want to drag Mina into this. She’s got enough going on, and she doesn’t need the added drama.
“My side of it is this. I’ve witnessed some pretty unprofessional, inappropriate behavior from Dr. Visera. I’ve called him out on it, and he didn’t like that. He told me he’d make my life hell and told me no one would believe me anyway. So I just let it go. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have. I should have reported it.”
Sharon leans forward in her chair, this new information piquing her interest. “Can you give some examples of the behavior?”
I have to tread carefully. “Sexual harassment of some of the young interns and residents. He’s got a bit of a reputation among them as a perv. I’m sure I can find some people to corroborate. Also, breaking sterile protocol, and becoming aggressive when it’s pointed out.”
“Those are two very serious accusations, Alex.”
“I know.”
“Can you give more specifics? Who was he harassing? Which patients did he endanger by breaking sterile protocol?”
“I don’t know who the patient was. He was in surgery; he came outside into the hallway where I was mopping to take a phone call. He hung up and went right back in. I looked through the door. He didn’t re-scrub.”
She lets out a gasp. “Do you remember when this happened?”
“A few months ago. I couldn’t tell you more than that, it was a while back.”
“Alex, you should have reported that when it happened,” my supervisor said sternly.
“I know.” I hang my head, lowering my voice. “I just didn’t think anyone would believe me.”
“What about the harassment?” Sharon presses. “Tell me more.”
“Oh, that’s much more frequent. I hear him making inappropriate comments towards several of the younger doctors, and some nurses. But there’s one doctor in particular he’s very fond of, but not in a good way. She’s had to hide in my janitorial closet before just to get away from him.”
“What’s her name? We’ll need to question her as well.”
Shit. I’ve said too much, but I really shouldn’t lie to them. “So, funny story, but that’s actually how we met. Now she’s my girlfriend. Needless to say, Dr. Visera didn’t like that we are together now, and has only increased his harassment of both of us. I’d rather not drag her into all of this unless I have to.”
“Describe her then.”
Shit shit shit . They’re going to track her down regardless. “Brunette, medium height and build. Kind eyes.” I lean back in my chair, my mind buzzing. I’ll have to give her a heads up about this. If I can get her to testify too, it could help clear my name… But I really don’t want to potentially tarnish her reputation. Fuck.
“Well, thank you Alex,” my supervisor says as he rises from his chair. “We’ll have you back in if we need more information. In the meantime, continue your work unless you hear differently from us. This has been very helpful.”
I stand as well. “Thank you, sir, for taking a moment to hear my side. I hope this can all get resolved quickly and fairly.”
I leave the room and lean against the wall, nausea nipping at my gut . He filed a god damn report on me. This guy is out for blood. I pull out my phone to see a missed call from Mina. Oh god . Did he do something to her, too?
I quickly call her back and she answers on the first ring, her voice heavy with desperation.
“Oh my god, Alex?”
“Baby, you’ll never believe this but—”
“It’s Jason,” she blurts. “Jason’s out to get us. He told me he filed a report about you, and he would do the same to me if I don’t agree to be with him. He also said he told my family the truth about who you are. They’re going to be so pissed.”
“I know about the report. I just got out of a meeting with my supervisor and HR.”
“Oh my god, no! What happened?”
“They asked for my side of the story, so I gave it. I also told them he was harassing my girlfriend, but I didn’t tell them it was you. I didn’t want to drag you into this.”
“Baby, this is all happening because of me. I feel terrible. You can tell HR who I am.”
“They’re going to want to talk to you if I do.”
“That’s fine, I’ll come give my statement right damn now if I need to. Where are you guys?”
“Third floor. My supervisor’s office. I’ll let them know you’re on the way.”
“Cool. I’ll be there in 10.”
I turn and pop my head back into my supervisor’s office. He and the HR woman are standing together, speaking in hushed tones, and they both look startled at my re-entry.
“Hey, so I just asked my girlfriend if she would be comfortable testifying, on the record, and she said yes. She’s on her way up here now, if you have a few more minutes.”
The HR lady’s eyes light up like I just offered her an all-expenses paid vacation. “Absolutely. We’ll take her statement now.”
“Cool, she will be up in a few minutes. I’ll send her in when she’s here.”
I pace anxiously outside while Mina talks to them. Her conversation takes much longer than mine did, and I can’t help the anxiety that keeps bubbling deep in my guts. What’s happening in there? I want to burst in, to protect her. But I know better than to interfere with this. She has to tell her story, her way, if we want any shot in hell of this working.
Finally, she emerges, her cheeks streaked with tears, and she rushes into my arms. I hold her close and gently kiss the top of her head.
“What happened in there, baby?”